∞ 87: Rooftops [action]

[chikaidestroyer]

[Around mid-morning, Albert can be seen picking up small things in the plaza -- nails, pens, groceries. He doesn't often do this, but it's been a week since he gave Caesar the task of repairing the stable, so he finds himself inspecting and repairing the amateurish work. That requires a few extra building supplies. Might as well take advantage of how calm everything is with the New Feathers coming in, right?

Albert spends the afternoon pulling out half-bent nails and readjusting crooked wooden slats. He can't say that he's disappointed, since Caesar actually tried to rebuild the stable's roof, but he can have the opinion that did a really shabby job. Silverbergs were apparently not very good roof-builders.

In the evening, after dinner, he'll be found up on house 42's roof, having climbed up through the skylight. It's something he's never really taken advantage of, and yet there's something familiar about it. He remains out there for a good while, almost meditating.]

Comments

[consultmybooks]

She's always been quite capable of functioning independently.

Nice to know she's thought of me occasionally, though.

[chikaidestroyer]

She has had quite a long time to think of home. When experiments are not affecting us, restless residents need something else to concentrate on. [And Buffy definitely fit the restless type.]

[consultmybooks]

How often do these experiments occur? I keep hearing about them. Seems to be a major fixture of the place.

[chikaidestroyer]

They previously occurred at a much greater frequency during the first year; sometimes experiments were ran as frequently as twice a month. But now months may pass before another village-wide experiment happens.

The scientists frequently abduct individual residents, though. That has not changed.

[consultmybooks]

[And Giles still does not like the sound of that] For how long?

[chikaidestroyer]

Village-wide experiments tend to last approximately a week. Residents may be abducted for anywhere between a day and a few months.

The most significant way to tell they have been abducted and not sent back to their world is if their personal belongings have been cleared out.

[consultmybooks]

A day to a few months? Doesn't exactly narrow it down, does it?

Buffy mentioned a few of her theories to me - that the whole point of us being here is so the Malnosso can find a way to return to their home. What do you think?

[chikaidestroyer]

We were told that their main goal is to return home, yes. And that, if their experiments succeeded, we would be the first sent back to our worlds. It's a matter of whether we believe that is their goal or not.

Of course, the Organization has been here for centuries, if that is any sign of their level of progress.

[consultmybooks]

Since I've only been here a week, I'll just go ahead and withhold judgment.

That, and the fact that they've been trying so long, is not at all encouraging.

[Then, after a beat] Sorry. I told Buffy I'd stop complaining quite so much, but I don't think I'm doing very well.

[chikaidestroyer]

Under the circumstances, your reaction is understandable. You needn't apologize.

There is not much to be encouraged about in regards to the Organization itself. It's the other individuals who have been around who offer some sort of hope that something is different from before.

[consultmybooks]

I know you and Buffy have been around a while. Who else could be considered a, um, regular? Set themselves up here, I mean.